Legal Studies

Faculty:  S.W. Harrell (Director), F.L. Ferguson, R.M. Goodman, M.C. Rayboun

The Legal Studies program offers an alternative to law school for those who wish to work in the legal field in a capacity other than that of an attorney, primarily as a paralegal. Three options are available to students seeking the B.A. in Legal Studies. Students entering the program with no previous paralegal course work will follow the Applied Option. Students with associate's degrees in a paralegal field may be offered an Advanced Option upon consultation and approval of the Legal Studies advisor. The Pre-Law Option is for students who have a desire to attend law school but who may wish to work as a paralegal/legal assistant before attending law school. 

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
In addition to general University requirements requirements, students seeking the B.A. in Legal Studies must meet the requirements listed below.

A grade of "C" is required for all courses listed as core courses in any of the options. Any course substitutions for specifically listed courses must be approved in writing, in advance by a Legal Studies advisor. All Legal Studies majors must successfully complete PLA 4155, notwithstanding any prior coursework in legal research and writing.

Course descriptions are listed alphabetically by prefix in the back of this catalog. 

General Studies (36 sh)
Applied, Advanced, and Pre-Law majors should take PLA 2013 to fulfill the socio-political component of General Studies.

For additional information see the General Studies section of this catalog.

Common Prerequisites (0 sh) 
None

Lower Division Electives (24 sh)
Sufficient 1000/2000 level electives to complete at least 60 semester hours in the lower division. Current UWF students may use elective courses at any level (1000-4999) to meet this elective requirement.

APPLIED OPTION

* Advisor permission required.

 

Major-Related (18 sh)
	CGS 2570	Microcomputer Application Packages	3
Choose one:
	ACG 2021	Principles of Financial Accounting	3
	ACG 3xxx	Accounting for Non-Majors	3
Choose one:
	COM 4110	Business & Professional Communication	3
•	SPC 3301	Interpersonal Communication	3
•	SPC 3425	Group & Team Communication	3

 • Courses have prerequisites

Upper Division Electives (6 sh)
Sufficient 3000/4000 level electives to meet UWF's requirement of 48 semester hours in the upper division or completion of all departmental requirements at the 3000/4000 level, whichever is greater.

ADVANCED OPTION

Major (33 sh)
All Applied Option mandatory core courses and elective core courses not previously completed must be taken as Advanced Option mandatory core course.

* Advisor permission required.

Upper Division Electives (12 sh)
Sufficient 3000/4000 level electives to meet UWF's requirement of 48 semester hours in the upper division or completion of all departmental requirements at the 3000/4000 level, whichever is greater.

PRE-LAW OPTION

Upper Division Electives (6 sh)
Sufficient 3000/4000 level electives to meet UWF's requirement of 48 semester hours in the upper division or completion of all departmental requirements at the 3000/4000 level, whichever is greater.


MINORS

Law and Social Issues (15 sh)
The Law and Social Issues Minor requires 15 sh of course work. A minimum of 9 sh of upper division courses must be completed at UWF.

Pre-Law (15 sh)
The Pre-Law Minor is meant as a supplement to majors other than Legal Studies and is for those who want a minimal background to prepare for law school or who want an introduction to terminology and basic ideas and skills related to the law and the legal profession. In contrast, the Legal Studies major emphasizes legal career preparation. Contact a Legal Studies advisor who will assist in choosing appropriate courses. A minimum of 9 sh of upper division courses must be completed at UWF.

* Advisor permission required.